A HALBEATH couple have been left “heartbroken” after being told they cannot bring their traumatised young niece and nephew over from Nepal to help care for them.

Wilma Mentiplay and Bijaya Pradhananga, of Lyneburn Crescent, want to bring over Diya (nine) and Sugam (five), who lost their home in Kathmandu in the devastating earthquake that hit the country in April.

The “terrified” youngsters, the children of Bijaya’s brother, Dilli, and sister-in-law, Nero, are living “in a tent out on the street” in Kathmandu with the rest of the family.

Nero suffers health problems and is awaiting specialist treatment while Dilli is also caring for his parents, aged 88 and 89, who are living in the basement of the former family home.

Wilma and Bijaya, supported by Dunfermline MP Douglas Chapman, want to bring the kids over to provide respite and “take some of the burden” off the rest of the family, and there’s been renewed urgency after fresh tremors shook Nepal this week.

But their plans are in ruins after the UK Border Agency rejected the children’s applications for a six-month visa, saying they did not meet the immigration rules for visitors.

Hitting out at the decision, Wilma – who has fostered children for 27 years – told the Press, “We’re heartbroken. It’s absolutely disgusting.

“It’s terrible that they can turn down two children who are looking for respite.

“They’re not terrorists or coming here to claim money or benefits – they’re only nine and five.

“The bairns are living in a tent out on the street and the monsoon’s coming. The family aren’t allowed to go into the house because it’s unsafe.

“We just want to bring them here because their mum’s not been well and my brother-in-law has to look after everybody else. He’s the only one who can go to work and make some money. We thought that if we could take the kids for a bit it would take some of the burden off them.” Diya and Sugam previously visited three years ago when Dilli was studying at Carnegie College. Bijaya has been in Nepal since July in the hope of bringing them over but was due home yesterday (Thursday).

Wilma added, “When you think about how many people were killed in the earthquake – they were just terrified.

“This trip could have been a wee respite for them after everything that they’ve been through.

“I’ve been fostering kids for over 20 years. It’s not like we’re telling lies to get kids into the country. Their mum and dad will be wanting them home as well.” In refusing Diya and Sugam’s applications, the UKBA acknowledged “the importance of family contact” and considered the “compassionate aspect” of the applications.

However, it explained, “You have failed to submit any evidence to show that your residential accommodation in Nepal is uninhabitable or evidence of your parents’ medical conditions.

“Given your current circumstances, I am not satisfied that you have an incentive to return to Nepal within the stated six-month period.” It added, “It is unclear when the situation in Nepal will stabilise and when your parents will be in a position to care for you and your sibling.

“Furthermore, a six-month visit would involve you missing a significant period of schooling in your home nation.

“Given the above, I am not satisified that you are a genuine visitor and will leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit.” Wilma plans to “fight this all the way” and has enlisted the help of the Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Mr Chapman, who has written to the Minister for Security and Immigration, James Brokenshire.

He said that “the UK Government needs to recognise this humanitarian case” and added, “The UKBA has rejected the children’s applications for a six-month visa to help give the family well-needed humanitarian respite.

“I feel that with all the current controversy about illegal immigration that the genuine humanitarian cases are being treated in a less favourable way by the UK Government.

“It is easy to see what it would mean for these children if the visa was granted and they could get some sense of normality back into their lives, even for a few short months.” A Home Office spokesperson said they did not usually comment on individual cases.